wideband AFR vs. $30 gauge

[67rcks]

I was about to get a regular air fuel gauge and regular o2 sensor hoping that it will give me enough info to set the correct air/fuel mixture. Autometer, sunpro makes them - cost 30-70 US.

Some folks say that such gauge is useless and blinks all over the place = difficult (if not impossible) to read and that wideband is way to go. What's your experience? Is it worth spending $250 for a wideband kit?

 

[blown65]

They ar ok if your only intention is setting cruise af with it. They are accurate in a very narrow af window.

For wot tuning go with a wideband.

 

[67rcks]

WOT means at some 6K rpm? Can you also read NB gauge when main circuit kicks in i.e. at some 2500-3000 rpm to be able to set the floatsmaybe play with jets? (holley DP with mech. secondaries)

 

[doogie67]

Wideband. Dataloging and so much more. It helped me find an internal vacuum leak. Makes tuning a whole lot easier.

 

[blown65]

WOT is wide open throttle

like I said, narrow o2 is good for cruise af only otherwise get a wideband.

 

[PoppyMod]

Hi,

I have an Innovate wide band and it works great. I f you have the money,l go for the wide band. The data logging and tuning capabilities are worth it. Maybe you can split the cost with your best bud.
Happy Motoring!

 

[coolblue65]

any have opinions on the AEM wideband guage? they seem pretty affordable and even have different face plates and rings.

I have been looking at one of these to aid me in fine tuning the carb vs paying for dyno time.

 

[67rcks]

AEM kit (AEM Power 30-5130 - AEM Power Analog Wideband Air/Fuel UEGO Gauge Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com) caught my eye too, with the price tag much lower than other sets yet with same or better quality, maybe with no data logging. Is it any different from 30-4100 other than the digital display?

Also, how long wideband sensors typically last in carbureted engines that use gas with lead substitute? is such gas harmful to the sensor ? (leaded gas is)

 

[blown65]

Ive had my wideband for years now and still works fine. The last 3 yrs has been all race gas. While I haven't checked its calibration, just from what it does at the track and setting idle fuel etc etc it seems to be still very close to what it should be.

 

[ForceFed70]

Don't bother with a narrow band, like you've been told they are not much help.